Comics Experience/IDW Publishing 2015
Written by Chris Lewis
Illustrated by Bruno Oliveira
Well this really is quite the story happening here as things are never what they seem and the whole idea behind a terrorist themed hotel complete with kidnap scenarios and staged shows that showcase interrogations and the like well it’s a bit out there to be honest. Interesting yes because wrapped up in all the glitz are actual spies and targets and shadowy groups with hidden agenda’s. To think all this started with a drone strike and has turned into something completely different.
I’m enjoying that we open with the target of the Drone strike being secreted away by this group in the manner in which it happens. It adds something mysterious and fun to the mix because he’s all like infidels and isn’t appreciative a girl smooching on him and well his reaction is kind of fantastic. The technology here is utterly fascinating and the fact I personally think it all exists and being used here adds another element to the story that ups the interest factor. Their interrogation of the man proves fruitful and it all ties in to our two on their interrupted date.
So heading back to the Swords Hotel in Las Vegas we see Lani on the screen as her coworker and date looks on and is recruited to go after her. What happens next brings all the players in this little drama together in the spectacular of ways. Part stage show part reality and all around messed up fun Chris manages to really make this whole thing not only entertaining but so complex and weird and blurs the lines of show and reality. It’s kind of surreal in some ways and yet completely doable in others as what better way to get something real done than stage it as a some sort of play or those into the terrorism scene.
Bruno does some really great work on the interiors here too. Lani has quickly emerged as more than just a drone jockey but also a formidable fighter in her own right. She’s confused though and needs answers as to who, what and why all this is happening so she’s staying close to “Sharifi” after the attack by the women from the opening sequence but it’s really all about the facial expressions of everyone involved that really showcase what they are feeling. From “Sharifi’s smug confidence, to Lani’s grit and determination to the attackers smiles of joy as they get to fight you really get a great sense of everyone’s personalities.
This really is like nothing you are going to expect. It’s all over the place in terms of factions vying for something, that isn’t really fully revealed yet but this Sharifi seems to have it but we’ll see. So all these different people in pursuit of one another for whatever personal reasons they have it’s hella fun. I like the complexity here it’s different, interesting and definitely a unique experience all around.